A COVID-19 vaccine shot about to be administered

By Darren Rathwell

Local pharmacists upset with COVID booster shot rollout

Dec 29, 2021 | 5:47 PM

A Medicine Hat pharmacist is taking the province to task for it’s handling of the COVID-19 booster shot rollout.

Greg Bueckert with Greg’s Remedy’s says his industry is being overwhelmed by rapid changes by the province.

“(The province makes) these profound announcements and then don’t back them up, allowing us to have the product to do the injections,” Bueckert said.

“This last one to give booster vaccines to everybody…there is very limited vaccine (to give),” he added.

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The province announced Dec. 21 booster shots would be available for anyone over 18, effective immediately.

But Bueckert says at last word, many pharmacies only have enough vaccine supply to last until mid January.

As well, his outlet has booster shots until Jan. 6 but all of them have been claimed.

And Bueckert says the lack of supply has lead to angry and frustrated customers who’ve been unable to get a booster shot, and rapid changes to provincial policy have left pharmacies holding the bag when trying to explain the changes to customers.

“Every time they make one of these announcements the (phone) lines keep ringing. We had to post a message to answer some questions because we can’t field all the calls and that’s (not including) trying to look after people walking in the door asking the same questions. It’s a difficult situation right now.”

Bueckert says the province needs to ensure enough supply of shots are available before making changes to their rollout.

CHAT News has reached out to Alberta Health regarding this matter and have not received a response.